November 2003

Help for school leavers with disabilities

A new ministerial taskforce will examine ways to boost job and educational opportunities for young adults with disabilities.

Following the inaugural meeting of the 10-member advisory group, Community Services Minister Sherryl Garbutt said the Government was committed to increasing the number of young adults with disabilities entering the mainstream workforce.

‘The advisory group, chaired by former ACTU secretary Bill Kelty, will develop new and innovative ways to help school leavers with disabilities get a job.

‘This panel of employment and disability experts will work with key stakeholders and community groups to identify real job and educational opportunities.

‘The Government will work with the taskforce to develop an effective whole-of-community approach to help young adults with disabilities enter the workforce or undertake further training.’

Mr Kelty had a strong record in developing new employment training initiatives for young adults including the Work for Australia Campaign and Netforce.

‘Mr Kelty brings a broad range of skills to the ministerial taskforce and will be instrumental in strengthening employment pathways for young people with disabilities,’ Ms Garbutt said.

The taskforce would identify barriers that prevent young adults with disabilities participating in the community.

‘The Government spends more than $60 million each year to help young school leavers with a disability make the transition from high school to further education or employment.

‘This taskforce will help reinvigorate and refocus existing programs to support young adults with a disability achieve their potential.’

Ms Garbutt said the establishment of the advisory group reflected the Government’s State Disability Plan 2002–2003.

‘The plan focuses on giving people with a disability the right to live and participate in the wider community as a citizen of Victoria.

‘The Government wants to ensure people with disabilities have the same opportunities and access to services as any other person.’